Chapter 2
“Wake up, Amanda. Nadia needs more blood.”
Gabriel’s voice cut through the haze, sharp and insistent. I opened my eyes to the glaring fluorescent lights of the hospital room, my body heavy and weak. My arms ached, bandaged where the nurses had drawn blood earlier.
“What?” My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
“She hasn’t woken up yet,” Gabriel said, his tone impatient as he loomed over
- me. “The doctors said her condition is
critical. She needs more.”
More? I blinked, trying to piece together what was happening. The events of the night rushed back–my escape from the apartment, the frantic phone call, the blood transfusion because they got into an accident.
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They’re were a lot of injured people who needed blood transfusion and there was no enough blood supply in the hospital, so I was forced by him to donate for Nadia.
Nadia. Always Nadia.
“I can’t,” I croaked, my words trembling. “I just gave. I–I don‘ t have any left.”
Gabriel’s expression darkened. “You don‘ t have a choice.”
He grabbed my arm, pulling me up with more force than necessary. Pain shot through my muscles, and I winced, barely able to keep my balance.
“Gabriel,” I gasped, struggling to keep up as he half–dragged me toward the door.
“Stop. Please. I can’t do this again. I’m too weak.”
For a second, I wanted to talk about our baby but I kept my mouth shut.
He didn’t even glance back at me.
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“You‘ re fine. You‘ ll be fine. Nadia needs
you.”
Nadia. Always Nadia.
I stumbled as he pulled me into a room where two nurses were already waiting.
“Sir,” one of them began cautiously, “she’s already given a significant amount. It’s not safe to take more so
soon. She could-”
“I don‘ t care,” Gabriel snapped, cutting her off. “Do it.”
The nurse hesitated, glancing at me with concern. “Mr. Rocco, she’s at risk of fainting, or worse. This could-”
“Just do it!” Gabriel’s voice echoed in the sterile room, his frustration spilling
over.
“Gabriel!” I yanked my arm free, though it took everything I had. My chest heaved as I glared at him. “Why are you doing this?”
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His eyes narrowed. “She needs you.”
“And what about what I need?” My voice cracked. “What about the fact that I‘ m your girlfriend? That I-”
“Enough.” His tone was final, dismissive. He turned to the nurses. “Take the
blood.”
“Gabriel-”
“Now.”
I flinched as the nurses approached. My protests died on my lips as they guided m to the chair, their apologies murmured too softly to register.
The sharp prick of the needle barely registered over the whirlwind of emotions. choking me. Tears blurred my vision as the world tilted, my body too weak to fight
anymore.
The last thing I saw before everything went black was Gabriel standing by the door.
I woke to the soft hum of the hospital.
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machines, my body heavy and drained. The dull ache in my arms reminded me of everything that had happened.
My eyes fluttered open, searching the room. For a moment, I thought Gabriel would be there, sitting beside me, maybe even holding my hand.
But the chair was empty.
to
Disappointment twisted in my chest, but it wasn’t enough keep me lying down. I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The hallway outside was quiet, the scent of antiseptic sharp in the air. I wandered aimlessly, my thoughts a tangled mess of anger and hurt.
And then I found him.
The door to Nadia’s room was slightly ajar. I froze in the hallway, my heart pounding as I peeked inside.
Gabriel was there, his back to me. Nadia was sitting up in the bed, pale but conscious, her frail frame supported by a
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pile of pillows.
They were hugging.
My breath hitched, the sight cutting through me like a knife. Gabriel’s arms wrapped around her, his head resting against hers as he murmured something I couldn’t hear. Nadia’s fingers clutched his shirt, holding him close.
I stepped into the room, my legs trembling beneath me. They didn’t notice me at first, too caught up in their embrace.
When Gabriel finally looked up, his expression shifted from surprise to something I couldn’t place.
I forced a smile, though my heart felt like it was shattering all over again. “What‘ s happening here?”
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